We were a tad weary on Thursday after flying Melbourne to Singapore to London, and landing that morning. 

But it was a beautiful day , and we were booked to play the Old course at Sunningdale!

 

History

Sunningdale's Old Course was originally designed by Willie Park Jnr in 1901.

The New Course opened in 1923 and was designed by Harry Colt- who was Secretary & Captain at Sunningdale.

Colt also redesigned the Old Course.

 

Championships

 

Sunningdale GC- Old Course, hole 10

 

Sunningdale has hosted many championships over the years including:

 

The Brabazon Trophy

British Masters

British PGA Matchplay

European Open

Walker Cup

Women's Open

 

Course

I must say I was amazed at the vast tracts of virgin forest around Windsor and surrounds where we were staying.

And Sunningdale is smack in the middle of this amazing country!

It had a real old world feel- the course was majestic.

Each hole is framed by trees, yet each had it's own character

The middle part of the course had significant elevation change, and was my favourite part of the course.

 

It's also a very attractive course- the combination of trees, rugged bunkers, the ocassional pond, colourful batches of heather and verdant green fairways can be quite breathtaking..

The course was not overly manicured- well looked after would be my assessment of the course condition..

 

Sunningdale GC- Old Course, hole 5

 

 I could appreciate how tough it could play off the back pegs in tournament conditions, but Sunningdale is no one trick pony.

It maintains it's interest and challenge off the various forward tees as well.

 

Notable holes include:

 

- the strong par 4 fifth hole, a busy hole with the elevated tee shot demanding a decent carry to a fairway with bunkers and pond in play ( see pic mid page)

- the par 4 seventh hole is perhaps the most interesting hole on the course, with natural undulation, bunkers and trees complicating the journey (see pic top of page)

- the mid length par 3 eighth hole, a gorgeous hole in a sublime setting

 

Sunningdale GC- Old Course, hole 8

 

- the long par 4 tenth hole, with elevated tee- it makes for a fabulous driving hole (see pic mid page)

 

Sunningdale's Old Course is regarded as one of the top couple of courses in England, and one of the top 100 courses in the world.

The collection of courses in close proximity in the London Heathlands include: the two courses at Sunningdale, St George's Hill, Swinley Forest, Walton Heath, Woking, the two courses at The Berkshire and more..

It is certainly one of the great golfing destination in the world.

The Old Course at Sunningdale is perhaps the best of the Heathland courses.

Highly recommended!

 

The Old Course at Sunningdale is a Travelling Golfer must play!

 

 

Golf Tours

 

The Travelling Golfer can tailor golf trips to suit your group.

For suggestions on great golf trips see Destinations: The London Heathlands.

 

 

Enquiries

 

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